Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-12-01

/ charge of q superintendent at the be-
ginning OF the year, as g separate eflce,
pu suapt 10 the act of Congress author
| iZing its detachment from the flee of the
third assistant. TIE work of this office
! has considerably increased. During the
year SIS. 965 pieces o; msil matter were
treated, Increasing by IL 1 per cent. over
1886 and By about II per cent. over 1885.
| his increase is in part 81
t6ibuts bic 10 the enlarged volume
of mail matter transported, ard partly
to the greater care taken by pOstmasters
in rendering returns of uGdelivered mat
| ter and Withdrawing from the mails such
as is unavailable.
Among the interesting items Of the
work performed IL is 10 De noted that
456, 1873 pieces Of mail arriving from for
eIgn iands we're returned TO the country
| of origin; that - 725 letters, inclosing in
the aggregate S22, $50 y, and 81, SOS let
! tiers, containing drafts, notes, checks,
| money orders, etc, ID %he amount in face
value Of 1851, 76I 10, were restored to
| the owners.
| There was derived to the postal revenue
| from dad nail matter the sum OF
1858 II, STA As in excess of the pre-
vlOus year.
Magazines, pamphlets, aud other read
| ing MISTER incapable OF return, have been
distributed TO the various charitable in
situations in the District of Columbia, in
al Is, 1872 pieces.
THE INSPECTION SERVICE.
The duties of inspectors embrace not
only the detection Of depreds ors but the
| investigation of most OF the cases of
public complaint, especially such as arise
from casualties, 'osses, Irregularities,
violations of law breaches Of discipline,
the conduct of business in postoffices and
other agencies, the furnishing OF informa-
| ton IS to the character and competence
of officials, and various inquiries
concerning every branch of the service.
The prompt and clear discernment and
correct &C ion of the Department depend
largely upon the zeal, ability and intelli-
gence of these officers. Special effort has
been made to promote the efficiency of
the force and to secure the speediest
action consistent with thorOughness
in all matters referred to it. Two
years SGD the business had fallen
considerably in 6rrear, and some
80 900 cases OF more or less Importance
were awaiting examination, so long de-
layed that satisfactory Investigation of q
large number was rendered impossible
By energetic eXertiOn this work was
closed up and the current business of the
year also received prompt action.
A Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
becomes with every year more desirable
addition to the official force of the depart
ment. The care Of postCffiras require
the assistance of such an LfHcer. This
must be conceded by anyone who will in
Quire into the subj-c If which some dis.
cussion has already been presented. |
respectfully invite q fresh consideration
Of what has been submitted in former re-
ports in support OF the recommendation
Should the suggestions hereinbefore made
in favor OF postoffice buildings lead TO
their construction by the government, the
duties of such Ii officer would naturally
comprehend that subject, as we'll as the
supplies and allowances of postOffices.
The appointments, the correspondence
for instruction of postmasters and others,
and the free-delivery service will demand
all the lsbors, exclusively, of any First
Assistant
sm very sure they to whom the fol-
lowing words are most due will recognize
their thorough sincerity, however custom
Il ay give them a perfunctory appearance
to Others. Aad should do violence to q
deep feeling were to omit to commend
to you as worthy of the warm approba-
ton of all good citizens who honor their
faithful servants for deserving service, |
the officers, clerks and employees of
this Department. With the friend
Hest personal cooperation and patriotic
zeal, free from the slightest interruption
by any untoward sentiment, the officers
If the Department have striven to carry
forward all its attempts to benefit the |
service in its charge snd have made my
labor with them as agreeable |
as without them it would have
been uDprofi able. TIE clerks have
been, with hardly an exception, diligent |
N duty, admirable in conduct, and as
jealous for the success and good name of |
the Depar ment as if it were personal |
charge. The inspe ctors, though widely |
scattered, have maintained q constant |
interest in the common affairs, |
and contributed faithfully to Strengthen |
and perfect the discipline and use
fulDess of the service. There have been |
out few instances smong all these public !
Of reprehensibIe conduct, and |
the apprehension of their associates has |
pursued with severe judgment every fault |
which might stain the Departmental good |
report. In this spirit of Fellowship !
to advance the public interest committed |
to our charge is 10 be found the springs
Of WhsteVer measure of success has fol
lowed our eXertiOns, and this is equally
the pride and reward of all.
WILLIAM F. Villas,
The President